Synchronization for a multiple zone food preparation device

ABSTRACT

A food preparation device synchronizes multiple zones or compartments that each have independent settings. The multiple zones have a synchronized finish so that the food preparation for each of the zones finish at substantially the same time. The synchronized finish may be calculated based on the different settings for each of the zones. A preheating phase for a zone can be modified by temperature or time. The synchronization may also be modified based on any interruptions to either zone to maintain the synchronized finish.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a food preparation device thatsynchronizes multiple zones or compartments that each have independentsettings.

BACKGROUND

Food preparation devices may include multiple zones for cooking orpreparing different foods or drinks. Those devices may allow forindependent setting for each of the zones without an ability tocoordinate between the preparation between zones.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a method, system or apparatus and/orcomputer program product for an improved food preparation device thatsynchronizes multiple zones or compartments that each have independentsettings. The multiple zones have a synchronized finish so that the foodpreparation for each of the zones is synchronized to finish atsubstantially the same time. The synchronized finish may be calculatedbased on the different settings for each of the zones. In someembodiments, a preheating phase for a zone can be modified bytemperature or time. The synchronization may be modified based on anyinterruptions to either zone to maintain the synchronized finish.

In one embodiment, a food preparation device includes a firstcompartment for preparing a first food according to first settings thatinclude a first finishing time; a second compartment for preparing asecond food according to second settings that include a second finishingtime; and a synchronization circuit configured for synchronizing thefirst finishing time and the second finishing time. The preparingcomprises functions including at least one of a cooking, frying, airfrying, baking, roasting, broiling, reheating, steaming, dehydrate,defrosting, or microwaving. Each of the compartments can independentlyperform each of the functions. The device includes a first message barfor the first compartment for displaying information about the firstsettings; and a second message bar for the second compartment fordisplaying information about the second settings. The displayinginformation about the first settings comprises the first finishing timeand the functions for the first compartment, and further wherein thedisplaying information about the second settings comprises the secondfinishing time and the functions for the second compartment. The firstsettings and the second settings each comprise a temperature dependenton the function, wherein the first compartment has a differenttemperature from the second compartment. The first compartment comprisesa first sensor for measuring the first food and the second compartmentcomprises a second sensor for measuring the second food. The measuringcomprises at least a weight or temperature. The synchronization circuitis further configured for calculating a synchronized finish time basedon both the first finishing time and the second finishing time, whereinthe synchronized finish time comprises one of the first finishing timeor the second finishing time. The synchronizing comprises modifying astart time or a pre-heating time for at least one of the firstcompartment or the second compartment. The pre-heating time is increasedin one of the compartments to synchronize the finishing times.

In another embodiment, a dual cooking device includes a first cookingzone with first settings that include a first finishing time; a secondcooking zone with second settings that include a second finishing time;and a computer readable medium storing instructions configured to beexecuted by a processor to synchronize the first finishing time and thesecond finishing time. The first cooking zone and the second cookingzone each include functions for at least one of a cooking, frying, airfrying, baking, roasting, broiling, reheating, steaming, dehydrate,defrosting, or microwaving. Each of the zones can independently performeach of the functions. The device includes a first message bar for thefirst zone for displaying information about the first settings; and asecond message bar for the second zone for displaying information aboutthe second settings. The displaying information about the first settingscomprises the first finishing time and the functions for the first zone,and further wherein the displaying information about the second settingscomprises the second finishing time and the functions for the secondzone. The first zone comprises a first sensor for measuring a weight ortemperature of food in the first zone and the second zone comprises asecond sensor for measuring a weight or temperature of food in thesecond zone. The synchronization includes modifying a start time or apre-heating time for at least one of the first zone or the second zone.The pre-heating time is increased in one of the zones to synchronize thefinishing times.

In another embodiment, a method includes receiving an input from a userfor cooking settings for either a first cooking zone or a second cookingzone, wherein the cooking settings comprise at least a cooking time anda cooking temperature. The user received input may include cookingsettings for both the first cooking zone and the second cooking zone, orthe user may be allowed to enter cooking settings for one of the zonesand then synchronize the cooking settings for the other zone. Thissynchronization may be referred as synced cooking. The method furtherincludes a synced finish feature that includes synchronizing, upon asynchronization finish input, the cooking time for the first cookingzone and the cooking time for the second cooking zone. The synchronizingincludes modifying a start time or a pre-heating time for at least oneof the first cooking zone or the second cooking zone.

In some embodiments, a device includes a processor and a memory, and theprocessor is configured to read code from the memory and implement anyof the embodiments discussed above. In some embodiments, a computerprogram product comprises a computer-readable program medium code storedthereupon, the code, when executed by a processor, causes the processorto implement any of the embodiments discussed above. In someembodiments, there is an apparatus comprising a processor and a memory,wherein the processor is configured to read code from the memory andimplement any methods recited in any of the embodiments. In someembodiments, a computer program product comprising a computer-readableprogram medium code stored thereupon, the code, when executed by aprocessor, causing the processor to implement any of the embodiments.The above and other aspects and their implementations are described ingreater detail in the drawings, the descriptions, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures illustrate principles of the invention according to specificembodiments. Thus, it is also possible to implement the invention inother embodiments, so that these figures are only to be construed asexamples. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designatecorresponding modules or items throughout the different drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a preparation device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a synchronization circuit for thepreparation device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first flow process for synchronization with apreparation device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow process for modifying settings for thesynchronization with a preparation device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a chart of different settings for a preparationdevice.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of multiple zone synchronization whenpreheating occurs with empty zones.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of multiple zone synchronization with foodadded before preheating.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of multiple zone synchronization with zonemeasurements that include dynamic time adjustment after cooking.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of multiple zone synchronization withdifferent cooking programs.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of multiple zone synchronization with nointerruptions when food is added before preheating.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of multiple zone synchronization withinterruptions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

By way of introduction, the disclosed embodiments relate to an improvedfood preparation device that synchronizes multiple zones or compartmentsthat each have independent settings. The multiple zones have asynchronized finish so that the food preparation for each of the zonesis synchronized to finish at substantially the same time. Thesynchronized finish may be calculated based on the different settingsfor each of the zones. In some embodiments, a preheating phase for azone can be modified by temperature or time. The synchronization may bemodified based on any interruptions to either zone to maintain thesynchronized finish.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a preparation device 102. Thepreparation device 102 may include multiple zones. Each zone may be anindependent food preparation compartment. Examples of a preparationdevice include food preparation functions, such as cooking, frying,microwaving, roasting, reheating, steaming, dehydrate, broiling,defrosting, baking, etc. The preparation device 102 may be an air fryer,microwave, oven, steamer, pressure cooker, slow cooker, coffee maker,blender, grill, or any combination of those. Each zone may include acombination of functions or there may be different functions fordifferent zones. In some embodiments, the preparation device may alsoinclude beverage preparation, but will be described as food preparationfor simplicity.

The zones may be referred to as baskets, compartments, sections,containers, or areas. In one embodiment, there may be two zones, such asthe first preparation zone 104 and the second preparation zone 106. Eachzone can be independently controlled with different functions andsettings. Although this embodiment illustrates two zones, in otherembodiments, there may be three or more zones. The examples aredescribed with two zones for simplicity.

Each zone may have its own interface that includes functionality forreceiving input and displaying output with a user 101. Examples of thisfunctionality are described below with respect to the user interface 204in FIG. 2 . The first preparation zone 104 may include a first zoneinterface 108, while the second preparation zone 106 may include asecond zone interface 110.

The zones can each have different foods that are prepared with differentfunctions. Despite having different functions, the synchronizationcircuit 112 can be used to synchronize a finish time for the preparationdevice so that the food from each zone is finished at the same time.This may be referred to as Synched Finish. The settings between zonescan also be synchronized by the synchronization circuit 112 so that aninput of the first settings for the first zone can be copied for thesecond zone. This may be referred to as Synched Cooking. Thesynchronization circuit 112 is further described with respect to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the synchronization circuit 112 ofthe preparation device 102. The synchronization circuit 112 may bereferred to as a computing device, processor, circuit board, chip, ormicrocomputer through which computations or processes are performed. Inone embodiment, the synchronization circuit 112 may be software thatruns on a computing device as shown in FIG. 2 . The synchronizationcircuit 112 may include a processor 210, a memory 208, software 206and/or a user interface 204. In alternative embodiments, thesynchronization circuit 112 may be multiple devices to provide differentfunctions and it may or may not include all of the user interface 204,the software 206, the memory 208, and/or the processor 210. Whiledescribed as synchronization circuit 112, it may include functionalityfor controlling other aspects of the preparation zones 104, 106 otherthan just synchronization. In one embodiment, there may be singlecircuit or processor for controlling synchronization and thefunctions/settings for each zone. In other embodiments, there may be aseparate processor from the synchronization circuit 112. For simplicity,the functions/settings are described as being controlled by thesynchronization circuit 112.

The user interface 204 may include the first zone interface 108 and/orthe second zone interface 110 and include a display, which may beseparate from the synchronization circuit 112, or it may provide inputsto and outputs from the synchronization circuit 112. The preparationdevice 102 may include a user interface 204 for providing information tothe user 101. In one embodiment, the user interface 204 may be adisplay, such as a message bar, coupled with the processor 210 andconfigured to display an output from the processor 210. The display (notshown) may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emittingdiode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, a cathode raytube (CRT), or other now known or later developed display device foroutputting determined information. The display may act as an interfacefor the user to see the functioning of the processor 210, or as aninterface with the software 206 for providing feedback or informationabout the preparation function/settings.

In some embodiments, the user interface 204 may also provide a mechanismfor the user 101 to interact with the preparation device 102, such as byproviding commands with a user input. The commands may includefunctions/settings for each of the zones 104, 106 that can be set by theuser 101. In some embodiments, the user interface 204 may includebuttons, touch screen display, a keypad or a cursor control device, aremote control, a wireless device (e.g. computing device, smartphone,tablet, etc.) or any other device operative to allow a user oradministrator to interact with the preparation device 102. In someembodiments, the interface may include a voice control or audio inputfor receiving commands and/or providing feedback. In other embodimentsthe user interface 204 may include inputs for scanning (e.g. scanning afood/recipe code) or sensor inputs (e.g. scale, temperatures, etc.), orany other mechanism to accept user information about the food beingprepared. This may include any information about what is beingprepared/cooked (including but not limited to a recipe) that can helpdefine the proper cooking time, which will then improve synchronization.

The user interface 204 including the first zone interface 108 and thesecond zone interface 110 may receive settings from the user 101 for therespective preparation zones 104, 106. In other words, the user 101 canenter the food preparation settings (e.g. function, time, temperature,pressure, weight, humidity, etc.) for each of the zones through theinterface, which may be separate from the synchronization circuit 112 insome embodiments. The display (e.g. message bar) may display informationabout the cooking settings or functions of each zone independently. Forexample, the function, temperature, and/or time remaining may bedisplayed for each of the zones. There may be separate displays for eachzone as illustrated in FIG. 1 as independent zone interfaces 108, 110.

The processor 210 in the synchronization circuit 112 may include acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), adigital signal processor (DSP) or other type of processing device. Theprocessor 210 may be one or more general processors, digital signalprocessors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmablegate arrays, servers, networks, digital circuits, analog circuits,combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed devices foranalyzing and processing data. The processor 210 may operate inconjunction with a software program (i.e. software 206), such as codegenerated manually (i.e., programmed). The software 206 may includefunctionality for the setting up and running the preparation zones 104,106 in addition to the synchronization described below.

The processor 210 may be coupled with the memory 208, or the memory 208may be a separate component. The software 206 may be stored in thememory 208. The memory 208 may include, but is not limited to, computerreadable storage media such as various types of volatile andnon-volatile storage media, including random access memory, read-onlymemory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmableread-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory,magnetic tape or disk, optical media and the like. The memory 208 mayinclude a random access memory for the processor 210. Alternatively, thememory 208 may be separate from the processor 210, such as a cachememory of a processor, the system memory, or other memory. The memory208 is operable to store instructions executable by the processor 210.

The functions, acts or tasks illustrated in the figures (e.g. FIGS. 3-4,6-12 ) or described herein may be performed by the programmed processorexecuting the instructions stored in the software 206 or the memory 208.The functions, acts or tasks are independent of the particular type ofinstruction set, storage media, processor or processing strategy and maybe performed by software, hardware, integrated circuits, firm-ware,micro-code and the like, operating alone or in combination. Likewise,processing strategies may include multiprocessing, multitasking,parallel processing and the like. The processor 210 is configured toexecute the software 206.

The synchronization circuit 112 may be used for implementing theprocesses shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 3-4, 6-12 . FIG. 3illustrates a first flow process for synchronization with a preparationdevice. In block 302, the settings for a first zone are received from auser. As described with respect to FIG. 2 , the settings may be receivedthrough a user interface, which may include buttons or other inputs(e.g. user interface 204). The settings may include the type of function(e.g. cooking, air frying, microwaving, defrosting, etc.) along withspecific cooking instructions (e.g. time, temperature, pressure,humidity, etc.). The settings may be input by the user or thepreparation device may automatically determine appropriate settingsbased on some user input or based on sensors regarding the food (e.g.weight, temperature, density, etc.) In some embodiments, the user couldidentify the food type and the settings are determined based on foodtype, along with sensed variables, such as weight and temperature. Theinitial settings received may be referred to as cooking settings, whichmay include any changes/settings before the user starts preparing. Block310 and FIG. 4 discussed below describe changes to the settings whichmay occur after the preparing has already started.

The settings for the second zone in block 304 may also be user-input ina similar manner as the user-inputted settings for the first zone inblock 302. There may be a separate user interface for each zone, orthere may be a single user interface for different zones. In someembodiments, there may be a synchronization feature for the settingsthat may be referred to as Synched Cook, in which the user can copy thesettings from one zone to another zone. In other words, the settings forthe second zone in block 304 may be copied from the user-inputtedsettings for the first zone when the user indicates a desire for synchedcooking.

In one embodiment, the user-inputted settings for the second zone inblock 304 may occur after the preparation for the first zone begins.Specifically, the user may enter the settings for the first zone inblock 302 and the food preparation begins (e.g. the first zone beginscooking, pre-heating, etc.) before the user later decides to use thesecond zone. In this embodiment, the user may be allowed to select thesynchronized finish feature (in block 306) even though the first zonehas already started. The synchronization may need to be adjustedaccordingly. In some embodiments, there may not be enough remaining timefor the cooking of the first zone to synchronize the finish for thesecond zone and the user will be notified accordingly. Otherwise, thesynchronization calculation occurs and adjusts any necessary settingsfor both zones to synchronize the finish as described below.

After the settings are received for the zones, the preparation devicecan begin the preparation process. In one example, where one zone iscooking chicken nuggets and another zone is cooking french fries, it maybe desirable to have them finished at the same time so they can beserved hot at the same time. This feature may be referred to as asynched finish or synchronized finish feature as in block 306. If theuser does not select synchronized finish in block 306, then therespective settings for each zone are utilized in block 308 and thetiming of each zone is not synchronized.

In block 310, the user has selected synchronized finish in block 306(e.g. click a Sync Finish button), so the preparation device modifiessettings to ensure the synchronized finish. The cooking settings may bedifferent which results in different cooking times, so in order tosynchronize the finish, the preparation device must determine how tomodify settings to synchronize the zones in block 310. As described,there may be user-inputted settings that may also be referred to ascooking settings that are not modified and include a temperature andtime in one embodiment. The cooking settings may not be modified in someembodiments, but the modification is for settings other than theuser-inputted cooking settings, including an initial wait time and/orpre-heating time that are modified to achieve the synchronized finish.In other embodiments, sensors may be monitored to adjust any and allsettings to achieve a synchronized finish between zones. FIG. 4 furtherillustrates the modification of settings shown in block 310.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow process for modifying settings 310 for thesynchronization with a preparation device. In block 402, either settingsfor the first zone and/or the second zone are modified to ensuresynchronized finish. In some embodiments, the setting for both zones aremodified. The settings may refer to timing (e.g. start point, duration,etc.) without modifying the end cooking results, which may include andbe referred to as cooking setting. There may an adjustment to one orboth zones to ensure the cooking results are correct and the timing issynchronized. Examples of the modification are further described withrespect to FIGS. 6-12 and may include starting cooking later ormodifying a pre-heating function (e.g. pre-heat time, pre-heattemperature, pre-heat heating rate, etc.). In block 404, the zones maybe monitored. The monitoring may include sensors that track the statusof the preparation (e.g. weight, temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.).This monitoring may be used an input for updating the synchronization(not shown), including further changing the settings. For example, afood item may be cooking slower than expected (temperature raisesslower), so the synchronization may adjust the settings of the zone toimprove, or may just slow the cooking of the other zone to ensure asynchronized finish.

An interruption to cooking may make a synchronized finish difficult. Forexample, the opening of a door or removing of a tray from one zone stopsthe cooking for that zone, but the other zone may continue cooking. Thepreparation device can also monitor for an interruption in block 406. Ifthere is no interruption, then the preparation device can proceed to asynchronized finish in block 408. As mentioned, this may be subject tomonitoring both zones (in block 404) to provide any setting updates asnecessary. However, if an interruption is detected in block 406, thepreparation device may need to further modify settings to maintain asynchronized finish in block 410. This may include monitoring cookingstatus, changing settings for one or both zones, and/or pausing cookingin the other zone while the interruption is occurring. Examples of thesetting modification are further described with respect to FIGS. 6-12and some examples include interruptions. In some embodiments, aninterruption may interrupt the synchronized finish settings and the usermay be required to provide input on proceeding with either anunsynchronized finish or options for a synchronized finish.

FIG. 5 illustrates a chart of different settings for a preparationdevice. This chart is one example of how to calculate and predict theneeded time in a Preheating stage for the preparation device. FIG. 5illustrates a temperature (y-axis) over time (x-axis) for pre-heating.In this example, the cooking setting is set at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.This curve is used for determine how long preheating can take atdifferent temperature levels. This can be used for modifying thepreheating time for synchronization. Specifically, this example may beused to predict pre-heating time with an empty basket. Thesynchronization circuit can utilize this information for makingadjustments to the pre-heating time and temperature which can be usedfor synchronizing a finish between zones. Utilizing this pre-heatingcurve, the needed pre-heating time may be calculated as 115/150 timesthe target temperature. This calculation may be made for both zones.When the calculated time for Zone 1 is greater than the calculated timefor Zone 2, then Zone 1 starts before Zone 2 by an amount that is thedifferent between the calculated times. In addition, to starting onezone later than another, the pre-heating time may be another settingthat can be modified to ensure a synchronized finish. The chart in FIG.5 can vary between each device, so it may be unique to a device formaking an accurate determination of preheating time. Specifically, thevariance from device to device may also include variance for capacity,material, and heating performance change. However, the linearrelationship can be applied despite this variance in order to calculatethe required preheating time based on a set temperature.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of multiple zone synchronization whenpreheating occurs with empty zones. In this example, both zones areempty. Zone 1 is set to cook at 300 F, while Zone 2 cooks at 400 F. Thecooking time (30 minutes for Zone 1 and 20 minutes for Zone 2) may beset by the user or determined by the device based on inputs (type offood, sensor measurements, etc.). In this example, Zone 2 includes await period (8 minutes) combined with a longer preheating time (4minutes) to ensure that both zones have a synchronized finish. Thepreheating times are different because the temperatures are different.However, in some embodiments, the preheating time can also be modifiedto synchronize the finish. The overall times are shown as:

-   -   Zone 1: 2 minutes preheating+30 minutes cooking=32 total minutes    -   Zone 2: 8 minute wait+4 minutes preheating+20 minutes cooking=32        total minutes.

FIG. 6 illustrates a combination of adding a wait time and modifying thepreheating time to ensure a synchronized finish. Merely modifying thetemperature and/or time for the cooking phase could be used forsynchronization, but that would impact the quality of the cooking (i.e.cooking at a high temperature may be faster but dry out the food).Accordingly, the synchronization determines an appropriate wait time andpreheating time to still maintain the proper cooking time at the propertemperature.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of multiple zone synchronization with foodadded before preheating. In this example, the temperatures and cookingtimes of Zone 1 and Zone 2 are the same as shown in FIG. 6 . However,when the user adds food, it may take longer to get to the targettemperatures. If the user adds food, then starts preheating, at thecalculated time, the actual temperature will be lower than the targettemperature (e.g. target temperature for preheating in FIG. 5 is for anempty zone/basket). In other words, the addition of food beforepreheating causes the preparation device to operate differently from thecurve shown in FIG. 5 . When the cooking time countdown starts, theheating continues until it reaches the target temperature.

The preparation device may prompt the user to add food at the end ofpreheating, however, in FIG. 7 , the user added the food at thebeginning. As a result, the target temperature is not reached and thereis an “X sec” time frame for getting to the target temperature in Zone 1and a “Y sec” time frame for getting to the target temperature in Zone2. In this example, total time and cooking time is the same. Inalternative embodiments, the preparation device may adjust thepreheating time and/or cooking time based on the presence of food duringpreheating. This may be based on sensor measurements of temperature,weight, etc.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of multiple zone synchronization with zonemeasurements that include dynamic time adjustment after cooking. Thischart may have the dynamic time adjustment that can occur afterpreparation begins. The second zone may be affected/heated before itenters preheating, so the predicted start/preheating time may beadjusted in real time for accuracy and cooking results. In thepreparation device, the zones may be adjacent, so preheating one zonemay also raise the temperature of the other zone due to proximity to thepreheating. In this instance, the second zone starts at a temperatureabove room temperature and may require less preheating. FIG. 8illustrates two checkpoints that are added to dynamically adjust timebased on the heating. These checkpoints may utilize a measuredtemperature to dynamically adjust preheating and/or cooking time basedon the measured temperature being higher than the expected temperature.At the first checkpoint, before zone 2 preheating starts, the zone 2temperature is determined and there may be a recalculation forpreheating time if the zone 2 temperature is higher than expected.Specifically, if the temperature at checkpoint 1 is high, then thepreheating time can be reduced (e.g. wait time is increased) and/orstarted later than planned. At checkpoint 2, before the zone 2 cookingstarts, the zone 2 remaining time is checked and the preheating time maybe adjusted/extended depending on the temperature.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of multiple zone synchronization fordifferent preparation/cooking programs. It may occur with nointerruptions when food is added after preheating. This chartillustrates an overall time calculation for differentpreparation/cooking programs. For example, different cooking programsmay or may not have preheating stage, and they may or may not haveinstructions during cooking. Zone 1 may include a cooking function (e.g.Air Fry or Roast) that may require preheating and provides prompts withan “Add Food” message and a “Turn Food” message for the user as shown inFIG. 9 . Depending on the function of Zone 2, the wait time may bechanged. For the Zone 2a example, the function is a Bake or Broil whichdoes require preheating and an “Add Food” message. However, for the Zone2b example, the function is Reheat or Dehydrate, which does not requirepreheating or any prompts. Accordingly, the wait time is extended toensure that the Zone 2b finish time matches with Zone 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of multiple zone synchronization with nointerruptions when food is added before preheating. If the user addsfood, then starts preheating, at the calculated time the actual zonetemperature will be lower than the target temperature. When the cookingtime countdown starts, the zone heating continues until it reaches thetarget temperature. In FIG. 10 , the cooking time at the target temp isX sec shorter but the food was in the zone (i.e. heated in the basket)during preheating. The “X sec” and “Y sec” modifications to the settingsmay be based on measured parameters, such as the temperature of the zoneand/or temperature of the food.

FIG. 4 included an interruption determination 406. The interruption mayinclude opening a zone (e.g. opening a basket/door) that is inpreheating or cooking mode. This may result in the heating stopping witha message to the user (e.g. on the message bar) saying “Close Basket”with a warning beep. In some embodiments, the cooking in Zone 2 is thenstopped an the message bar for Zone 2 displays “Paused.” If the userdoes not return within X min, cooking (in both zones) may be cancelled.X may be 5 minutes or a different value that could depend on the type offood and where in the process the zone is (e.g. X=5 minutes if nearingend of cooking, but X=10 minutes during preheating). Otherwise, thecooking/time continues with the heat ramping up to resume the previousstate:

-   -   If Zone 1 was in preheating, sync time and heating may continue        to complete the preheating stage.        -   If Zone 2 was in waiting, sync time continues after the            interruption.        -   If Zone 2 was in preheating, sync time and heating continue            to complete the preheating stage.        -   If Zone 2 was in cooking, cook time countdown and heating            continue after the interruption.    -   If Zone 1 was in cooking, cook time countdown and heating        continue after the interruption.        -   If Zone 2 was in waiting, sync time continues after the            interruption.        -   If Zone 2 was in preheating, sync time and heating continue            to complete the preheating stage.        -   If Zone 2 was in cooking, cook time countdown and heating            continue after the interruption.    -   If Zone 2 basket is also opened during the Zone 1 “Basket Open”        window, then the interruption is combined into one. If either        interruption or the combined interruption is over X minutes, the        cooking (in both zones) may be cancelled.    -   If multiple interruptions happen in sequence, the scenarios        described above may apply to each interruption.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of multiple zone synchronization withinterruptions. In this example, Zone 1 is opened (“interrupted”) for Nminutes, which interrupts the cooking of Zone 1 and interrupts thesynchronized finish feature. In one embodiment, Zone 2 is paused duringthis interruption time. This example, shows two different examples forZone 2, with Zone 2a including a roast at 400 F for 20 minutes, whileZone 2b includes a bake at 450 F for 25 minutes. For Zone 2a, there is await period of 8 minutes plus the extra N minutes for the interruption.Likewise, for Zone 2b, the preheating is increased from 6 minutes to 6+Nminutes to account for the interruption. The total time increases by Nminutes. For Zone 2c, there is a reheat function at 450 F for 30minutes. In this example, the cooking temperature ramps up and maintainsthe temperature. If Zone 2 is also opened when Zone 1 is open, theinterruption window is then N=A (Zone 1 open time)+B (Zone 2 open time).If A, B, or A+B is over X min, cooking may be cancelled in both zones.This may apply to multiple interruptions, with the total time being theestimated cooking time combined with the sum of all interruption time.

The meaning of specific details should be construed as examples withinthe embodiments and are not exhaustive or limiting the invention to theprecise forms disclosed within the examples. One skilled in the relevantart will recognize that the invention can also be practiced without oneor more of the specific details or with other methods, implementations,modules, entities, datasets, etc. In other instances, well-knownstructures, computer-related functions or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail, as they will be understood by those skilled in theart.

The discussion above is intended to provide a brief, general descriptionof a suitable computing environment (which might be of different kindlike a client-server architecture or an Internet/browser network) inwhich the invention may be implemented. The invention will be describedin general context of computer-executable instructions, such as softwaremodules, which might be executed in combination with hardware modules,being executed by different computers in the network environment.Generally, program modules or software modules include routines,programs, objects, classes, instances, components, data structures,etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstractdata types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structuresand program modules represent examples of the program code means forexecuting steps of the method described herein. The particular sequenceof such executable instructions, method steps or associated datastructures only represent examples of corresponding activities forimplementing the functions described therein. It is also possible toexecute the method iteratively.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may bepracticed in a network computing environment with many types of computersystem configurations, including personal computers (PC), hand-helddevices (for example, smartphones), multi-processor systems,microprocessor-based programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, laptops and the like. Further, theinvention may be practiced in distributed computing environments wherecomputer-related tasks are performed by local or remote processingdevices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links or bya combination of hardwired or wireless links) through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may belocated in local or remote devices, memory systems, retrievals or datastorages.

Generally, the method according to the invention may be executed on onesingle computer or on several computers that are linked over a network.The computers may be general purpose computing devices in the form aconventional computer, including a processing unit, a system memory, anda system bus that couples various system components including systemmemory to the processing unit. The system bus may be any one of severaltypes of bus structures including a memory bus or a memory controller, aperipheral bus and a local bus using any of a variety of busarchitectures, possibly such which will be used in clinical/medicalsystem environments. The system memory includes read-only memory (ROM)and random access memories (RAM). A basic input/output system (BIOS),containing the basic routines that have the functionality to transferinformation between elements within the computer, such as duringstart-up, may be stored in one memory. Additionally, the computer mayalso include hard disc drives and other interfaces for user interaction.The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenon-volatile or volatile storage of computer executable instructions,data structures, program modules and related data items. A userinterface may be a keyboard, a pointing device or other input devices(not shown in the figures), such as a microphone, a joystick, a mouse.Additionally, interfaces to other systems might be used. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit through aserial port interface coupled to system bus. Other interfaces include auniversal serial bus (USB). Moreover, a monitor or another displaydevice is also connected to the computers of the system via aninterface, such as video adapter. In addition to the monitor, thecomputers typically include other peripheral output or input devices(not shown), such as speakers and printers or interfaces for dataexchange. Local and remote computer are coupled to each other by logicaland physical connections, which may include a server, a router, anetwork interface, a peer device or other common network nodes. Theconnections might be local area network connections (LAN) and wide areanetwork connections (WAN) which could be used within intranet orinternet. Additionally, a networking environment typically includes amodem, a wireless link or any other means for establishingcommunications over the network.

Moreover, the network typically comprises means for data retrieval,particularly for accessing data storage means like repositories, etc.Network data exchange may be coupled by means of the use of proxies andother servers.

The example embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by thisdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

We claim:
 1. A food preparation device comprising: a first compartmentfor preparing a first food according to first settings that include afirst finishing time; a second compartment for preparing a second foodaccording to second settings that include a second finishing time; and asynchronization circuit configured for synchronizing the first finishingtime and the second finishing time.
 2. The device of claim 1, whereinthe preparing comprises functions including at least one of a cooking,frying, air frying, baking, roasting, broiling, reheating, steaming,dehydrate, defrosting, or microwaving.
 3. The device of claim 2, whereineach of the compartments can independently perform each of thefunctions.
 4. The device of claim 2, further comprising: a first messagebar for the first compartment for displaying information about the firstsettings; and a second message bar for the second compartment fordisplaying information about the second settings.
 5. The device of claim4, wherein the displaying information about the first settings comprisesthe first finishing time and the functions for the first compartment,and further wherein the displaying information about the second settingscomprises the second finishing time and the functions for the secondcompartment.
 6. The device of claim 2, wherein the first settings andthe second settings each comprise a temperature dependent on thefunction, wherein the first compartment has a different temperature fromthe second compartment.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstcompartment comprises a first sensor for measuring the first food andthe second compartment comprises a second sensor for measuring thesecond food, wherein the measuring comprises at least a weight ortemperature.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the synchronizationcircuit is further configured for: calculating a synchronized finishtime based on both the first finishing time and the second finishingtime, wherein the synchronized finish time comprises one of the firstfinishing time or the second finishing time.
 9. The device of claim 1,wherein the synchronizing comprises modifying a start time or apre-heating time for at least one of the first compartment or the secondcompartment.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the pre-heating time isincreased in one of the compartments to synchronize the finishing times.11. A dual cooking device comprising: a first cooking zone with firstsettings that include a first finishing time; a second cooking zone withsecond settings that include a second finishing time; and a computerreadable medium storing instructions configured to be executed by aprocessor to synchronize the first finishing time and the secondfinishing time.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the first cookingzone and the second cooking zone each include functions for at least oneof a cooking, frying, air frying, baking, roasting, broiling, reheating,dehydrate, steaming, defrosting, or microwaving.
 13. The device of claim12, wherein each of the zones can independently perform each of thefunctions.
 14. The device of claim 12, further comprising: a firstmessage bar for the first zone for displaying information about thefirst settings; and a second message bar for the second zone fordisplaying information about the second settings.
 15. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the displaying information about the first settingscomprises the first finishing time and the functions for the first zone,and further wherein the displaying information about the second settingscomprises the second finishing time and the functions for the secondzone.
 16. The device of claim 11, wherein the first zone comprises afirst sensor for measuring a weight or temperature of food in the firstzone and the second zone comprises a second sensor for measuring aweight or temperature of food in the second zone.
 17. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the synchronize further comprises: modifying a starttime or a pre-heating time for at least one of the first zone or thesecond zone.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the pre-heating time isincreased in one of the zones to synchronize the finishing times.
 19. Amethod comprising: receiving an input for cooking settings for either afirst cooking zone or a second cooking zone, wherein the cookingsettings comprise at least a cooking time and a cooking temperature;receiving, when the settings are not synchronized between the first andsecond cooking zones, an input for settings for the other of the firstcooking zone or the second cooking zone; and synchronizing, upon asynchronization finish input, the cooking time for the first cookingzone and the cooking time for the second cooking zone.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the synchronizing further comprises: modifying a starttime or a pre-heating time for at least one of the first cooking zone orthe second cooking zone.